Taxi drivers not keen on proposed ‘mini taxi’ scheme

The plan to introduce a new small car-based taxi service isn’t even in the pipeline yet, but it’s already drawing an unfavourable view. This, from regular taxi drivers, who have begun voicing their concern over the move, Bernama reports.

Taxi drivers in KL, already feeling the impact of declining income due to the competition brought about by Uber and GrabCar ride-sharing services, say that they are worried that their takings will be further affected if the proposed introduction of the mini taxi service becomes a reality.

Yesterday, it was reported that the government was studying a proposal for the new service, which will utilise small engine displacement models such as the Perodua Axia, with the benefits of such a service being low maintenance costs for such vehicles and cheaper rates for customers.

Taxi drivers, however, aren’t sharing such a positive view. A taxi driver interviewed by the national news agency said that his income had been on the decline since ride-searing services had emerged on the scene, and the idea of yet more competition isn’t appealing.

“If the proposal is approved, taxi drivers like us will have more difficulties in getting customers and our income will continue to drop,” he said, adding that the mini taxis would create more competition among existing taxi drivers as they would offer a more economical price to passengers.

Another taxi driver said he hoped that the authorities would take measures to ensure that the new service will not affect income of existing taxi operators. “It is already difficult for us to earn a living as a taxi driver with Uber and Grabcar services being the preferred customers’ choice,” he said. The driver said he used to earn RM100 a day, but the amount was dwindling.

Deputy transport minister Datuk Abdul Aziz Kaprawi said that the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) was studying the possibility of introducing the service. He added that the new service will not affect conventional taxi businesses, as it will cater only to those traveling from any Light Rail Transit (LRT) station to their home, within a certain proximity.

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

SPAD are just making excuses for themself, since taxi drivers and Rakyat have lose confidence/ lost hope on the Government department. Why don’t the taxi drivers ask the NGO’s and Rakyat support to abolish this department? and find new solutions?

Why the need to introduce a new segment and pricing. Just let the taxi driver buy whatever car they think best for them and stick with the same pricing model. The current Saga taxi isn’t that big compared to Axia (interior space wise).

it is true – more than 20 years.. if saga iswara. it’s a shameful to let this taxi picking up passenger from our international airport klia and klia2. Govt. should ban all this old taxi! all these people are shameless lazy leech. Earn their living leeching on tourist and weak passenger.

introduce new service? intro new service with all proton cars to help boost up proton sales you should say? nah… taxi drivers just rejecting for their own good but not the customers too. still complaining about other companies providing good services and become preferred customers’ choice. wth… customers always have the right to choose the best for them, if you don’t improve, don’t complain.

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